Wallet detachable retaining a personal information device and receiving a wake signal and a stay awake signal from the personal information device

Abstract

A wallet for a personal information device in the form of a PCMCIA card such as an PCMCIA-card electronic organizer. The wallet includes an input device separate from the input device of the personal information device and two halves that may be folded together in a wallet-like fashion. One of the halves generally includes a touch panel input to allow a user to enter information, commands, instructions, etc., thereto. A personal information device is mounted to the second half of the wallet. When mounted, the wallet supplies via an electrical connection or induction communication the user-supplied information entered into the touch panel input to the personal information device. The wallet display may be powered by the personal information device via the electrical connection or self-powered. Upon coupling the personal information device to the wallet, the personal information device may supply a wake signal to wake up or automatically turn on the input device of the wallet. The wallet may further include an input/output connector for coupling via a cable the wallet to an external device such as another wallet, a personal computer, etc.

1. A wallet for use with a personal information device, the wallet comprising:
 a first portion having an input device;  
 a second portion coupled to the first portion to receive, detachably retain, and interface with a personal information device that provides organizer features; and  
 a power source to provide electricity to the wallet; wherein the wallet conserves the power source by turning on in response to a wake signal from the personal information device, and turning off if a stay-awake signal is not received from the personal information device for more than a threshold period of time.  
 
     
     
       2. The wallet of  claim 1 , wherein the personal information device comprises a PCMCIA card. 
     
     
       3. The wallet of  claim 1 , wherein the personal information device comprises a personal digital assistant. 
     
     
       4. The wallet of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion includes an induction coil adapted to interface without electrical contact with said personal information device when retained by said wallet, the wake signal being communicated to the wallet using the induction coil. 
     
     
       5. The wallet of  claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises a battery. 
     
     
       6. A method performed by a wallet having a power source and detachably retaining a personal information device, the method comprising:
 receiving a wake signal from the personal information device providing organizer features; and  
 turning the wallet on in response to the wake signal by providing electricity to wallet components from the power source; and  
 turning the wallet off in response to not receiving a stay awake signal from the personal information device for a predetermined period of time by powering down the wallet components.  
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the wake signal is received by the wallet using an induction coil interface. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the wallet comprises a PCMCIA card. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the power source comprises a battery. 
     
     
       10. A machine-readable medium containing data representing instructions that, when performed by processor of a wallet having a power source and detachably retaining a personal information device, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a wake signal from the personal information device providing organizer features; and  
 turning the wallet on in response to the wake signal by providing electricity to wallet components from the power source; and  
 turning the wallet off in response to not receiving a stay awake signal from the personal information device for a predetermined period of time by powering down the wallet components.  
 
     
     
       11. The machine-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the wake signal is received by the wallet using an induction coil interface. 
     
     
       12. The machine-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the wallet comprises a PCMCIA card. 
     
     
       13. The machine-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the power source comprises a battery.